Makenzie Weale will make her Jillaroos debut from the bench against England in Perth this Saturday, with family travelling from Brisbane to watch.
The 24-year-old forward told AAP she texted her family about her selection, prompting her parents and partner to arrange flights.
"My parents had some choice words and said, 'shit yeah'," Weale told AAP.
The Queenslander said singing the national anthem in the jersey would be special, but she would focus on the match once it began.
"It's an exciting time, for anyone when you can sing the anthem for your country and it's definitely something I'll take in with both hands," the Queenslander said.
"I like to think I'm quite good at compartmentalising, so I'll enjoy that while it's happening and then get to work. Once I'm out there I kind of settle into it and then get going. Whereas, when I'm on the sideline, I just try and slow my brain so it's not racing too much."
Weale has played 26 NRLW games and represented Queensland eight times in State of Origin.
Her first Australian camp came last year and strengthened her desire to earn a national-team place.
"Being here last year made me realise it was a space that I wanted to be in," the forward said.
She said the squad's training intensity and preparation showed the standards expected among the best players.
Weale said Blues teammates welcomed her despite their Origin rivalry, and that representing Australia felt different from playing Origin.
After stints with North Queensland and Newcastle, she has signed with St George Illawarra. Weale said she wanted a move south and the challenge of new coaches and teammates.